Life is unlocked in moments. 

The Arts of Communication course planted the seed of a moment whose power I am still unlocking today. Prior to the class, I did not think I had a distinctive communication style. Nor did I understand effective communication technicalities. For example, the ancient communication philosophy of Ethos, Pathos and Logos, which underpinned many course assignments, soon became a powerful weapon in my communication arsenal. This course unlocked my authentic communication style. It provided a one-of-a-kind learning experience in communicating for impact and persuasion. In addition, classmates opened my mind to a new world of stories, experiences and adventures that are almost impossible to replicate in any other academic setting. For my part, I was reminded that a story is like a song to the human heart. Stories connect humanity. It was therefore no wonder that students seemed to bond more naturally than I have ever seen in any other class to date. 

Can a classroom become a theater of history? History is created in moments. This unique class experience showed me the value of moments of time. I was able to condense my family history and personal experiences, spanning over 40 years, in less than 4 minutes. I felt like I was reliving history. Mine was a story shared by many Rwandan families in the mid 90’s.  They were living at the crossroads of destiny. The frequent border crossings between Rwanda and Uganda, a looming civil war and the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide came alive in a classroom 10,000 miles away. It was a story of loss and triumph; forgiveness and hope; despair and resilience; belonging and statelessness. It was a story only possible in this classroom. 

This was a story only reserved for the most intimate people and moments. Somehow, as if conducting an orchestra, Professor Mankad transformed the Arts of Communication classroom into a very powerful, intimate space. Almost overnight. The classroom birthed stories unlike any other academic environment I had ever experienced. Love, immigration, power, beauty, politics, freedom and fear are just a few of the themes that come to mind. The collective wisdom, inspiration and knowledge that I drew from this class, whether from stories or stylistic devices, will live with me forever. 

However, the Arts of Communication course is more than just about awe-inspiring stories; the course set-up and environment are designed to explore new communication styles while mastering the use of our own authentic voice. This is perhaps the most powerful aspect of this course. Authenticity accentuates style and elevates confidence in communication. Style gives birth to effective communication. This duality was demonstrated powerfully in this class.                 My favorite book from this course, Don't Think of an Elephantby George Lakoff, brought to light the power of framing as a stylistic device. It provided a new understanding about communicating effectively about key social and political issues—something I use often in my personal and professional life. 

A combination of teaching styles, speech preparation techniques and personal presentation such as eye contact, memorization, tempo and body language—all backed by balanced research, theory and the science of communication, ensured that this class became the most sought-after at the Fletcher School. Initially, I was unable to register for the class, then put on the waiting list, and eventually got in last minute (thanks Professor!). Five years later, I still remember it like it was yesterday. Sharing and receiving real-time, moment-by-moment reactions full of joy and empathy in a room packed with classmates I had become so fond of created a feeling and a memory that will stay with me for a very long time. 

Professor Mankad has mastered the Art of creating experiences. The Arts of communication is therefore more than a communication course. Just like the course title, there are different Arts of communication. Some are speeches, many are stories but all of them are moments rich in wisdom and power. I often rely on the experience, techniques and knowledge from this course in my day-to-day personal and professional dealings. I remain indebted to Professor Mankad for opening up a new world of possibilities in my quest to become an effective and confident speaker. 

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[Fletcher School, Spring 2016]